UAE national recruit dies while performing prayers

A national service recruit from the UAE has died while performing prayers, official news agency WAM reported.

The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces announced that national service recruit Sayed Ibrahim Ismail al-Hashemi died on Sunday while performing Al Asr (afternoon) prayers in a mosque at the training centre.

The Armed Forces extended its condolences to his family.

Two years ago, another Emirati service recruit died after he suffered a sudden heart attack at the Armed Forces Residences.

Mohammed Khalid Khalifa Al Raisi was rushed to hospital by air ambulance after suffering a cardiac arrest. But he died on the way to hospital.

Read more: UAE National Service Recruit Dies Of Heart Attack

In June 2014, the UAE’s President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan issued a law implementing compulsory military service for citizens.

Under the law, all Emiratis aged between 18 and 30 and in good medical health have to join the military.

Earlier this year, the UAE also extended compulsory national service for citizens who hold a secondary school certificate or higher from nine months to 12 months.

Those that do not have a high school diploma will still serve for a minimum of two years.

Read more: UAE extends compulsory national service to 12 months

Military service will include training periods, military exercises and lectures on patriotism and security.

On Saturday, the sixth batch of the national service recruits began their military training in the country.

Also read: Why Compulsory Military Service Will Benefit The UAE